Flexible apparel hook

ABSTRACT

An apparel hook includes a support member, a hook member extending from the support member, and a hook opening formed between the hook member and a surface of the apparel hook. In operation, the hook member hangs from a rod while the support member provides lateral support to garment hangers. The apparel hook is placed onto and removed from the rod by passing the rod through the hook opening. According to the invention, the hook opening is smaller than the rod&#39;s diameter, thereby preventing the rod&#39;s passage. However, the hook member, for example, resistively flexes allowing the hook opening to vary in size. Accordingly, by flexing the hook member, the hook opening enlarges, thereby allowing the rod to pass through. Thereafter, the hook member and opening return to their original positions, preventing the rod&#39;s passage. Accordingly, once on the rod, the apparel hook cannot be jostled from the rod.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus that permits additional hangers to be suspended from a hanger rod and, in particular, to a mechanism that assists in maintaining the apparatus on the hanger rod.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices for holding garment hangers are known for solving a variety of problems associated with storing, transporting, and displaying garments. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,455 to Artemi discloses a garment hanging device (e.g., see FIG. 1 of that patent) that permits additional hangers to suspend from a hanger rod. That device comprises a main body with a hook portion. Within the main body towards the bottom of the device a hole is formed. A strap is threaded through this hole and formed into a loop. In operation, the hook portion of the device is inserted over a garment hanger rod/rail with the loop and strap suspended downward. The hooks of conventional garment hangers are then inserted through the strap-loop so that the garment hangers and any garments on these hangers hang from the device at a position/distance below the hanger rod.

One advantage of a garment hanging device like that of Airtemi is that it allows a larger number of garments to hang from a hanger rod than would otherwise be possible. For example, garment hangers can now hang from a hanger rod in an interleaved fashion, with some hangers suspended directly from the rod and other hangers suspended at a distance below the rod through the device.

As an example, the garment industry and retail stores will use such a garment hanging device to store garments in an interleaved fashion as just described, thereby obtaining additional space. They will also use such a garment hanging device through the “drop method.” Here, for example, a first garment hanging device is suspended from a rod. The hook portion of a second garment hanging device is then inserted into the strap-loop of the first garment hanging device and the hook portion of a third garment hanging device is then inserted into the strap-loop of the second device, etc. In this way, a cascading chain of garment hanging devices is formed (hereinafter referred to as a “garment-chain”). Thereafter, one or more hooks of conventional garment hangers are inserted through the strap-loops of the cascaded garment hanging devices, thereby obtaining additional storage space.

In addition to using such a garment hanging device to obtain more storage space, the garment industry and retail stores will also use the device, in the manner just described, on moveable racks and/or on rods configured within trucks in order to transport garments. Again, the device provides additional space thereby allowing more garments to be moved at once.

Nonetheless, while a garment hanging device like that of Artemi provides for additional space, it has drawbacks. Specifically, when such a device is used on stationary rods, it is possible for garments to be bumped. Similarly, when such a device is used on moveable racks or within trucks, for example, it is possible for the garments to be jostled. As a result of this bumping and/or jostling, the garment hanging device can be accidentally thrown off the rack, rod, or garment-chain thereby resulting in the garments being damaged or soiled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a garment hanging device that provides for additional storage space and also remains on a garment rod when jostled, bumped, or moved. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparel hook comprises a hook member, a support member, and a hook opening, each of which lie in a common plane. The hook member extends from the support member and forms an inner hook surface. The support member is intended to provide direct lateral support for one or more garment hangers and/or other apparel hooks (i.e., to form a garment chain). In operation, a garment rod is passed through the hook opening and engaged against the inner hook surface of the hook member such that the apparel hook suspends from the garment hanger in a conventional manner. The support member in turn supports one or more garment hangers and/or apparel hooks. In this way, garments suspend at a distance below the rod.

With respect to the support member, it may comprise one or more body openings through which a strap, for example, is threaded and thereafter attached upon itself to form one or more loops. The hooks of garment hangers, for example, are then suspended from the loop(s). Alternatively, rather than threading the strap through a body opening(s), the strap can be directly attach to the support member through a co-molding process, a clamping process, an anchor, or a detachable mechanism. As another alternative, rather than using a strap or the like, the support member can include one or more openings that function as hanger supports. Here, the hooks of garment hangers, for example, are directly inserted into the openings.

As for the hook opening, it is formed between a surface along a free end of the hook member and a second opposing/adjacent surface of the apparel hook. According to one aspect of the invention, the size of the hook opening is smaller than the size/diameter of the garment rod from which the apparel hook is intended to hang. In this way, when the hook member of the apparel hook is initially placed against the rod in order to insert the apparel hook onto the rod, the rod will not pass through the hook opening. According to another aspect of the invention, the hook opening varies in size through the flexible and resistive movement of the hook member, for example. As such, when a force is exerted against the hook member, the free end of the hook member moves away from the plane of the apparel hook, thereby causing the size of the hook opening to enlarge. Similarly, when the exerted force is thereafter removed, the hook member automatically returns to its natural position, thereby causing the hook opening to reduce back to its original size.

As such, to insert the apparel hook of the present invention onto a garment rod, a user engages the apparel hook against the rod substantially at the hook member and hook opening, for example. As indicated, the hook opening is initially too small to allow the rod to pass through. Accordingly, the user then presses the apparel hook against the rod, for example, thereby causing the hook member to flex and the hook opening to enlarge. The user continues to press in this fashion until the hook member sufficiently flexes to allow the rod to pass through the hook opening and thereafter engage the inner hook surface of the hook member. Once the rod passes through the opening, the hook member returns to its original position, causing the hook opening to reduce back to a size that prevents the rod from passing through. Accordingly, once inserted onto a garment rod, the apparel hook of the present invention cannot be easily thrown, bumped, or jostled from a garment rod. As such, to thereafter remove the apparel hook from the rod, the apparel hook is pulled against the rod, for example, causing the hook member to flex and the hook opening to enlarge to allow the rod to pass through.

According to another example embodiment of the present invention, an apparel hook again comprises a hook member, a support member, and a hook opening. As described above for the first embodiment, the hook member, support member, and hook opening lie within a common plane. According to this further embodiment of the invention, the hook member is now fabricated with a twist, for example, such that as the hook member extends from the support member, it extends outside/beyond the plane of the apparel hook. Accordingly, a surface along the free end of the hook member and a second opposing surface along the apparel hook again form the hook opening. However, here, the hook opening now also extends beyond the plane of the apparel hook. Again, according to one aspect of the invention, the hook opening is sized to be smaller than the garment rod from which the apparel hook is intended to hang. Similarly, according to another aspect of the invention, the hook member is resistively flexible, allowing the size of the hook opening to enlarge, pass the garment rod, and thereafter return back to its original size. The support member is as described above.

According to a further example embodiment of the present invention, an apparel hook again comprises a hook member, a support member, and a hook opening. However, here, the hook member is shaped such that it extends back upon the apparel hook and overlaps the apparel hook, thereby forming an overlapping region. Accordingly, opposing surfaces of the apparel hook, along this over-lapping region, form the hook opening. Again, according to one aspect of the invention, the hook opening is sized to be smaller than the garment rod from which the apparel hook is intended to hang. Similarly, according to another aspect of the invention, the hook member is resistively flexible, allowing the size of the hook opening to enlarge, pass the garment rod, and thereafter return back to its original size. Again, the support member is as described above.

In general, rather than the hook opening having a varying size through the resistive and flexible movement of the hook member, as described for the above embodiments, the support member may be resistively flexible. Here, the support member would flex upon an exerted force, thereby enlarging and decreasing the size of the hook opening. Similarly, both the hook member and support member may be of a flexible nature. Alternatively, both the hook member and support member may be rigid and interconnected using a resistively flexible material, etc.

Overall, an apparel hook of the present invention is useful with moveable racks and rods within trucks, for example, because there is less of chance of garments falling from the rack/rod and being damaged or soiled. In addition, an apparel hook of the present invention is also useful with stationary rods where garments may be accidentally bumped and knocked off the rod.

According to a further example embodiment of the present invention, an apparel hook again comprises a hook member, a support member, and a hook opening as described above. However, the apparel hook now also comprises an extension member connected to the hook member, support member, or a combination thereof. The extension member provides a simplified mechanism for raising the apparel hook up and onto high garment rods, for example, and for thereafter removing the apparel hook from the rod.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate example apparel hooks according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are sides views of an example apparel hook of FIGS. 1A, 1B, or 1C, with FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrating an example operation of the apparel hook according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a front view and a left side view, respectively, of another example apparel hook according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate an example procedure, according to an example embodiment of the present invention, for inserting an apparel hook of FIGS. 1A, 1B, or 1C onto a garment hanger rod;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a front view and a right side view, respectively, of an example apparel hook according to another example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5C is a side view of the apparel hook of FIG. 5A, with FIG. 5C illustrating an example operation of the apparel hook according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5D illustrates an example procedure, according to an example embodiment of the present invention, for inserting the apparel hook of FIG. 5A onto a garment hanger rod;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate further example apparel hooks according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example apparel hook according to another example embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C illustrate example apparel hooks according to further example embodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 8B being a partial left side view of the apparel hook of FIG. 8A; and

FIG. 9 illustrates an example apparel hook according to a still further example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1A, there is illustrated an example apparel hook 100 a according to an example embodiment of the present invention. Apparel hook 100 a comprises support member 102, hook member 104, body opening 106, and strap 108, which is formed into a loop 112. Beginning with hook member 104, as illustrated in FIG. 1A this member is connected to support member 102 and extends outward from the support member such that the hook member and support member lie with a common plane of the apparel hook. Hook member 104 forms an inner hook surface 104 a along the inner perimeter of the hook member. As described below, in operation hook member 104 is inserted over a garment hanger rod, like rod 103, such that inner hook surface 104 a engages the surface of the rod so that apparel hook 100 a hangs from the rod in a conventional manner. Alternatively, multiple apparel hooks 100 a can be cascaded using the “drop method,” thereby forming a “garment-chain” of apparel hooks 100 a. Here, hook member 104 of a first apparel hook 100 a is suspended from a hanger rod, as just described. The hook member of a second apparel hook 100 a is then suspended from strap-loop 112 of the first apparel hook such that inner hook surface 104 a engages the strap-loop, etc.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1A, hook member 104 also includes a free end 104 b. Notably, hook member 104 is shaped such that the surface of the hook member at end 104 b lies adjacent to a second surface 114 along apparel hook 100 a. In this way, the surface along end 104 b and the surface 114 of the apparel hook form hook opening 116. Notably, according to this first example embodiment of the invention, hook opening 116 lies within the common plane of apparel hook 100 a.

In general, the shape of hook member 104 is not specific to the invention and as such, the surface along end 104 b of the hook member may lie adjacent to various surfaces 114 along apparel hook 100 a without deviating from the present invention. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, end 104 b essentially lies adjacent to both hook member 104 and support member 102. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, hook member 104 of example apparel hook 100 b is shaped such that end 104 b lies adjacent to the hook member itself. Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, hook member 104 of example apparel hook 100 c is shaped such that end 104 b lies adjacent to support member 102. Notably, while hook opening 116 is described as being formed between two opposing surfaces, the term “surface” is not intended to limit how opening 116 can be formed. For example, one skilled in the art will recognize that end 104 b of hook member 104 may be shaped into a point for example, and as such, the opposing “surfaces” forming hook opening 116 would essentially be two opposing “points.”

It should also be noted that while apparel hook 100 a, and similarly apparel hooks 100 b and 100 c, are each illustrated as having an oval-type shape, this shape is not specific to the invention. For example, an apparel hook of the present invention may have a rectangular or square shape. Note also that while FIG. 1A, and similarly FIGS. 1B-1C, illustrate hook member 104 and support member 102 as each having a flat planar shape, one skilled in the art will recognize that this shape is not specific to the invention. One skilled in the art will also recognize that support member 102 and/or hook member 104 may have varying dimensions. For example, support member 102 and/or hook member 104 may have extended lengths, thereby increasing the long dimension of the apparel hook.

Referring now more specifically to hook opening 116 and hook member 104, the size of hook opening 116 is defined by the distance between the surface along end 104 b of the hook member and the opposing surface 114 along the apparel hook 100 a-c. Significantly, according to one aspect of the present invention, end 104 b is configured relative to surface 114 such that the size of hook opening 116 is smaller than the size/diameter of the hanger rod 103 from which apparel hook 100 a-c is intended to hang. For example, a typical garment hanger rod may have a diameter from approximately 32-35 mm (e.g., approximately 33 mm). Accordingly, the size of hook opening 116 would be configured to be smaller than 32 mm, for example. In this way, when hook member 104 of apparel hook 100 a-c is initially placed against hanger rod 103 in order to insert the apparel hook onto the rod, the rod will not pass through opening 116. According to another aspect of the present invention, end 104 b of hook member 104 may also be configured such that the size of hook opening 116 is also smaller than the size of strap 108 such that the strap will not pass through opening 116. In this way, when the hook member of a second apparel hook is placed against the strap-loop 112 of a first apparel hook in order to form a garment-chain, the strap-loop will not pass through hook opening 116.

Notably, while hook opening 116 is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C as being a “spaced” opening, this space is not specific to the invention and the size of hook opening 116 may be negligible. For example, the surface along end 104 b of hook member 104 may actually touch the apparel hook along surface 114.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, hook opening 116 is also configured to vary in size through the flexible movement of hook member 104. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, which is a right side view of apparel hook 100 a, for example, upon the exertion of a force 122 against hook member 104, the hook member resistively flexes, relative to support member 102, away from longitudinal axis 120 of the apparel hook (i.e., flexes outside the plane of the apparel hook). As is readily apparent to one skilled in the art, when hook member 104 is flexed in this manner, end 104 b also moves away from surface 114 of the apparel hook thereby causing hook opening 116 to enlarge (note that a force opposite to that of 122 would similarly flex hook member 104 towards the right). Similarly, when exerted force 122 is thereafter removed, hook member 104 naturally/automatically returns to its original position, in line with longitudinal axis 120 of apparel hook 100 a (i.e., within the plane of the apparel hook), as illustrated in FIG. 2B. Notably, as hook member 104 returns to this position, the surface along end 104 b of the hook member returns to its original position adjacent to surface 114, thereby causing hook opening 116 to reduce back to its original size. Significantly, according to the present invention, hook member 104 has sufficient flexibility to allow hook opening 116 to enlarge to a size that is at approximately equal to and possibly greater than the size/diameter of the garment rod 103 from which the apparel hook is intended to hang.

As further described below, the flexible nature of hook member 104 allows hook opening 116 to enlarge to a size such that garment rod 103 can pass through the opening and engage inner hook surface 104 a. In this fashion, an apparel hook of the present invention can be inserted onto the garment rod. As can be readily understood, once inserted onto the rod, hook opening 116 returns to its reduced size, thereby preventing the apparel hook from being removed from the rod, or more specifically, from being accidentally thrown, bumped, or jostled from the rod. Accordingly, to thereafter remove the apparel hook from the garment rod, hook member 104 must once again be flexed through an applied force, thereby enlarging hook opening 116 and allowing the garment rod to pass through. Notably, an apparel hook of the present invention may similarly operate when forming a garment-chain.

In general, note that an apparel hook of the present invention can be fabricated from, for example, plastic, metal, rubber, or any other suitable material known in the art that allows for the resistive and flexible movement of hook member 104 as just described.

Turning now to support member 102, this member provides direct lateral support for one or more conventional garment hooks and/or other apparel hooks. More specifically, according to this first example embodiment of the present invention, support member 102 includes body opening 106 through which strap 108 is threaded and thereafter attached upon itself using any method known in the art. For example, as illustrated by apparel hooks 100 a-c, strap 108 is riveted or stitched upon itself at portion 110. In this way, strap 108 suspends from support member 102 and forms loop 112. As indicated above, the hooks of conventional garment hangers are placed in loop 112 so that garments on these hanger suspend from the apparel hook. Similarly, when forming a garment-chain, hook member 104 of a first apparel hook is placed in loop 112 of a second apparel hook, thereby forming a cascaded chain. Notably, strap 108 is not limited to a single loop and can include a plurality of loops formed, for example, from a plurality of stitched or riveted portions similar to stitched or riveted portion 110. In this way, the apparel hook can support an additional number of conventional garment hangers and/or other apparel hooks when using the drop-method, for example. Furthermore, strap 108 can include a slide device, a buckle, an adjustable clasp mechanism, or the like, that allows the size of loop 112 to be adjusted in length.

In general, one skilled in the art will recognize that strap 108 is not specific to the invention and can be replaced with other mechanisms known in the art that allow for the receiving of conventional garment hanger hooks and/or hook members 104 so that the hangers and/or apparel hooks can be suspended from the apparel hook. For example, a looped rope, a linked-chain, or a wire can be used rather than a strap. In general, note that strap 108 (whether a strap, rope, chain, or wire) can be made of any suitable material known in the art such as plastic, fabric, metal, wood, rubber, wire etc.

One skilled in the art will also recognize that while body opening 106 is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C as having a rectangular shape, the body opening is not restricted to these shapes and can also have, for example, a circular, oval, or triangular shape. Similarly, support member 102 may include an additional opening 106 a (as illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 1A). Such an opening allows for the simplified insertion of strap 108 into body opening 106. Specifically, rather than threading strap 108 through body opening 106 and then connecting strap 108 upon itself with rivets or stitches, for example, strap 108 can first be riveted/stitched and then looped through opening 106 a to body opening 106.

One skilled in the art will further recognize that the present invention is not limited to a single body opening 106 and strap 108 to form one or more loops 112. For example, as illustrated by apparel hook 100 d in FIGS. 3A and 3B (FIG. 3B being a right side view of apparel hook 100 d), support member 102 may include two body openings 107 a and 107 b. Here, a strap 109 has one or more loops 113 a and 113 b, for example, and is threaded through body openings 107 a and 107 b in a serpentine fashion. This serpentine threading provides a certain amount of resistance to the movement of strap 109 through openings 107 a and 107 b when strap 109 is carrying the weight of garments suspended from loops 113 a and 113 b, for example. In this configuration, strap 109 can be adjusted by relieving the weight applied to one or more of loops 113 a and 113 b and sliding strap 109 through openings 107 a and 107 b as desired.

One skilled in the art will also recognize that while body opening 106 (or similarly, openings 107 a and 107 b) is illustrated as lying within the plane of the apparel hook, this orientation is not specific to the invention and body opening 106 may be situated perpendicular to the plane of the apparel hook, for example. Here, the orientation of strap 108 and loop 112 would be turned 90°, for example, as compared to the orientation illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, for example.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, there is illustrated an example procedure for inserting example apparel hook 100 a, for example, onto a garment hanger rod 103 according to the present invention (note that the Figures are not drawn to scale). As illustrated, a user may first insert one or more hooks 130 of conventional garment hangers 132 into loop 112 of apparel hook 100 a to suspend garments therefrom. (Alternatively, a user may insert the garment hangers into loop 112 after the apparel hook is inserted onto the garment rod). Thereafter, the user then engages apparel hook 100 a against hanger rod 103 substantially at hook opening 116 and hook member 104, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 4A. As described above, when hook member 104 is initially engaged against the hanger rod in this fashion, the hook member is in a non-flexed orientation and as such, the size of hook opening 116 is smaller than the size/dimension of rod 103, thereby preventing rod 103 from passing through the opening (as can be seen in FIG. 4A). Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, which is a right side view of apparel hook 100 a, the user then presses the apparel hook against rod 103 such that the rod exerts a force 122 against hook member 104 thereby causing the hook member to flex outward relative to the longitudinal axis 120 of the apparel hook. Notably, to obtain this counter force, the user may orient apparel hook 100 a perpendicular to rod 103 and then press the apparel hook at an angle to the rod. Alternatively, the user may position apparel hook 100 a at an angle to the rod and then press the apparel hook directly against the rod, etc. In general, any orientation and direction of pressure against the rod that will cause hook member 104 to flex can be used.

As hook member 104 flexes outward as just described, the size of hook opening 116 enlarges. Accordingly, a user continues to press apparel hook 100 a against rod 103 until hook member 104 flexes sufficiently outward such that the size of hook opening 116 is approximately equal to or greater than the dimension/size of the garment rod. Once hook member 104 is flexed in this fashion, the garment rod passes through opening 116 and engages against inner hook surface 104 a of the hook member. Thereafter, apparel hook 100 a suspends from rod 103, as illustrated in FIG. 4C.

Significantly, once the garment rod passes through opening 116 as described, the counter force against hook member 104 is removed, allowing hook member 104 to return to its natural/original position, in line with longitudinal axis 120. Notably, as hook member 104 returns to this position, end 104 b of the hook member also returns to its original position adjacent to surface 114, thereby causing hook opening 116 to reduce back to its natural/original size. Accordingly, once apparel hook 100 a is suspended from garment rod 103, the apparel hook cannot be easily thrown, bumped, or jostled from the rod.

As such, to thereafter remove apparel hook 100 a from garment rod 103, a user needs to repeat the above described process. Specifically, to remove apparel hook 100 a, the user engages the apparel hook against garment rod 103 substantially at hook opening 116 and hook member 104 and pulls the apparel hook against the rod such that the rod exerts a force against hook member 104, thereby causing the hook member to flex outward relative to the longitudinal axis 120 of the apparel hook. Accordingly, the user continues to pull apparel hook 100 a against rod 103 until hook member 104 flexes sufficiently outward such that the size of hook opening 116 allows the rod to pass, thereby removing the apparel hook from the rod.

As can be seen, an apparel hook of the present invention is particularly useful with moveable racks and rods within trucks, for example, because there is less of chance of garments falling from the rack/rod and being damaged or soiled. In addition, an apparel hook of the present invention is also useful with stationary rods where garments may be accidentally bumped and knocked off the rod.

Again, the above description is only one example procedure for inserting and removing an apparel hook of the present invention to and from a garment rod 103 and other procedures can be used. For example, rather than using an exerted pressure against rod 103 to enlarge opening 116, a user may simply grasp apparel hook 100 a and sufficiently flex hook member 104 such that rod 103 will pass through opening 116. Notably, this manual flexing may also be used, for example, to insert a second apparel hook onto strap 108 of a first apparel hook in order to form a garment-chain.

As a further example procedure for inserting apparel hook 100 a onto a garment rod, it is noted that some garment rods have a free end (e.g., the garment rod is only supported at one of its two ends). Accordingly, rather than inserting apparel hook 100 a onto the rod by flexing hook member 104, the apparel hook can be simply slid onto the rod at the rod's free end, thereby engaging the rod against inner hook surface 104 a. Thereafter, apparel hook 100 a can be removed by sliding the apparel hook off the rod or by flexing hook member 104. Notably, when using apparel hook 100 a in this way, numerous garments can be easily slid onto the garment rod. Thereafter, if a user then wants to remove only the first or second apparel hook placed on the rod, for example, the user can simply remove the apparel hook by flexing hook member 104 as described above, rather than removing all the apparel hooks in order to reach the desired apparel hook.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C there is illustrated an example apparel hook 200 a according to another example embodiment of the present invention (FIGS. 5B and 5C being right side views of apparel hook 200 a). Apparel hook 200 a is similar to apparel hook 100 a, for example, in that it comprises a support member 102, a hook member 204, a body opening 106, and a strap 108 formed into a loop 112. Again, hook member 204 is connected to support member 102 and extends outward from the support member towards a free end 204 b. However, according to this second embodiment of the present invention, hook member 204 is fabricated with a twist, for example, such that as the hook member extends towards end 204 b, it extends outside/beyond the longitudinal axis 120 of the apparel hook (i.e., outside the plane of the apparel hook), as illustrated in FIG. 5B.

Similar to the first embodiment of the invention, a surface along end 204 b of hook member 204 lies adjacent to and opposes a surface 214 along apparel hook 200 a, the opposing surfaces thereby forming hook opening 216 (similar to above, the location of surface 214 along apparel hook 200 a is not specific to the invention). Notably, hook opening 216 now lies/extends outside the common plane of apparel hook 200 a, as compared to the first embodiment where opening 116 was essentially within the plane of the apparel hook. Again, according to one aspect of the present invention, end 204 b is configured relative to surface 214 such that the size of hook opening 216 is smaller than the size/diameter of a hanger rod 103 from which apparel hook 200 a is intended to hang. Likewise, end 204 b may also be configured such that the size of hook opening 216 is smaller than the size of strap 108. Similarly, according to another aspect of the present invention and as illustrated in FIG. 5C, hook member 204 resistively flexes away from its resting position (which resting position is illustrated by the dotted line representation of the hook member in FIG. 5C) upon the exertion of a force 122 against the hook member. This flexible movement of hook member 204 moves end 204 b away from surface 214, thereby enlarging hook opening 216 and allowing a rod 103 to pass through.

Similar to an apparel hook of the first embodiment, while hook opening 216 is illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B as being a “spaced” opening when hook member 204 is not flexed, this space is not specific to the invention. For example, hook member 204 may extend up to the inner perimeter 218 of the apparel hook with end 204 b actually touching the apparel hook along surface 214.

In general, apparel hook 200 a is inserted onto and removed from a garment rod 103 similar to the procedures described above for example apparel hook 100 a. In particular, the user first engages apparel hook 200 a against hanger rod 103 substantially at hook opening 216 and hook member 204, for example. Thereafter and as illustrated in FIG. 5D, for example, the user then presses the apparel hook against rod 103 such that the rod exerts a force 122 against hook member 204 thereby causing the hook member to flex outward. As illustrated in FIG. 5D, the user may orient the apparel hook parallel to rod 103 in order to obtain force 122 against the hook member. Nonetheless, this is only one example procedure for inserting the apparel hook onto the rod and other procedures can be used.

Accordingly, as the apparel hook is pressed against the rod and hook member 204 flexes outward, the size of hook opening 216 enlarges thereby allowing rod 103 to pass through the opening and engage against inner hook surface 204 a of the hook member. With rod 103 beyond opening 216, hook member 204 then returns to its natural/original position, thereby causing hook opening 216 to reduce back to its natural/original size. Thereafter, the apparel hook can be similarly removed from garment rod 103.

Referring now to FIG. 6A there is illustrated another example apparel hook 200 b according to this example embodiment of the present invention. Notably, hook member 204 at end 204 b was described above with respect to apparel hook 200 a as not extending beyond the inner perimeter 218 of the apparel hook. Nonetheless, one skilled in the art will recognize that this position is not specific to the invention. For example, end 204 b of hook member 204 may extend beyond the inner perimeter 218 of the apparel hook such that end 204 b now lies adjacent to face 201 of the apparel hook, as illustrated in FIG. 6A. Alternatively, end 204 b may extend beyond the outer perimeter 220 of the apparel hook, as illustrated by apparel hook 200 c in FIG. 6B. In both cases, hook member 204 now overlaps either itself, support member 102, or a combination thereof, depending on the specific shape of the hook member, thereby creating an over-lapping region. Notably, here, hook opening 216 is essentially formed by opposing surfaces of the apparel hook along this over-lapping region (i.e., a first surface is provided by the hook member 204 and a second surface is provided by the hook member, the support member, or a combination thereof). Again, there may be a space between these opposing surfaces or the two surfaces may touch one other. In general, example apparel hooks 200 b and 200 c can be inserted onto a garment rod 103 similar to apparel hook 200 a, for example.

Overall, note that hook members 104 and 204 of apparel hooks 100 a-d and apparel hooks 200 a-c were described above as having resistive and flexible movement relative to the support member 102, thereby allowing the size of hook openings 116 and 216 to vary. Nonetheless, one skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited to the flexible movement of the hook member in order to vary the size of the hook opening and any method known in the art that allows hook openings 116 and 216 to resistively enlarge and thereafter decrease in size can be used. For example, according to another aspect of the present invention, rather than hook member 104 or 204 being of a flexible nature, support member 102 may be resistively flexible relative to the hook member. In this way, the support member would flex away from and back towards the hook member, thereby enlarging and decreasing the size of hook opening 116 or 216. Similarly, both the hook member and support member may be of a flexible nature. Alternatively, both the hook member and support member may be fabricated from a rigid material and the hook member and support member then joined using a resistive and flexible material, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is illustrated an example apparel hook 300 according to another example embodiment of the present invention. As described above with respect to apparel hooks 100 a-d and 200 a-c, support member 102 comprises body opening 106 through which strap 108 is threaded. Nonetheless, one skilled in the art will recognize that body opening 106 is not specific to the invention and an apparel hook according to the present invention need not include opening 106 (or opening 106 a).

Specifically, referring to FIG. 7, example apparel hook 300 comprises hook member 304, for example, support member 302, and strap 308. Notably, apparel hook 300 substantially resembles apparel hook 100 a (or similarly, 100 b-c), for example, in that hook member 304 resembles hook member 104 and operates in the same way. Similarly, apparel hook 300 may substantially resemble apparel hooks 200 a-c with the hook member 304 resembling hook member 204 and operating in the same way.

Turning to support member 302 and strap 308, similar to support member 102, support member 302 provides direct lateral support for one or more conventional garment hooks and/or other apparel hooks. However, here, rather than strap 308 attaching to the support member through an opening, support member 302 directly engages the strap. Specifically, according to this example embodiment of the invention, strap 308 is attached to main body 302 using, for example, a co-molding process, as is known in the art. Alternatively, apparel hook 300 is fabricated as two mirror-image halves and the two halves are fused together as one, for example. In the process of fusing the two halves together, strap 308 is inserted between the halves and thereby held in place in a clamp-like fashion. Using one of these fabrication methods, for example, strap 308 essentially extends from support member 302, such as from the bottom, as illustrated by apparel hook 300, for example. As another alternative, an anchor can be formed/fused onto support member 302 and strap 308 connected to this anchor. As a further alternative, a snap, clasp or any other detachable mechanism known in the art can be used to attach strap 308 to support member 302. Here, one half of the detachable mechanism is formed/fused onto support member 302 and a complementary half is formed onto strap 308. The two complimentary halves are then interconnected. In general, any method known in the art for attaching strap 308 to the support member can be used.

Again, strap 308 forms one or more loops 312 through which the hooks of conventional garment hangers are placed so that garments on these hangers suspend from the apparel hook. Similarly, when forming a garment-chain, hook member 304 of an apparel hook is placed into loop 312. In general, note that strap 308 is not specific to this embodiment of the invention and can be replaced with, for example, a looped rope, a linked-chain, wire, etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, there is illustrated an example apparel hook 400 a according to another example embodiment of the present invention. Apparel hook 400 a comprises hook member 404, for example, attached to a support member 402. Notably, apparel hook 400 a substantially resembles apparel hook 100 a (or similarly, 100 b-c), for example, in that hook member 404 resembles hook member 104 and operates in the same way. Similarly, apparel hook 400 a may substantially resemble apparel hooks 200 a-c, for example, with the hook member 404 resembling hook member 204 and operating in the same way.

Unlike apparel hooks 100 a-c and apparel hooks 200 a-c, however, apparel hook 400 a does not include a strap connected to the support member. Specifically, support member 402 again provides direct lateral support for one or more conventional garment hooks and/or other apparel hooks. However, here, support member 402 includes opening 406 that functions as a hanger-support, as more clearly illustrated in FIG. 8B, which is a left side view of the apparel hook as illustrated in FIG. 8A. According to this embodiment of the invention, opening 406 is adapted to have a size to receive the hooks of conventional garment hangers and/or hook members of other apparel hooks. In operation, the hooks 130 of conventional hangers 132, for example, are placed in opening 406 so that garments on these hangers suspend from apparel hook 400 a and thereby suspend at a position/distance below a hanger rod from which apparel hook 400 a is hanging. Similarly, when forming a garment-chain, the hook member of a second apparel hook is placed in opening 406 of apparel hook 400 a, thereby forming a cascaded chain. Again, note that the shape of opening 406 is not specific to the invention. Furthermore, note that apparel hook 400 a may include multiple openings 406 so that the apparel hook can support an additional number of conventional garment hangers and/or other apparel hooks, for example.

Note that according to this example embodiment of the invention, in addition to hook opening 116 being configured to have a size smaller than the size/diameter of a garment rod, the hook opening may also be configured to have a size that is smaller than the size/dimension of support member 402. In this way, when apparel hook 400 a is used to form a garment-chain, the chain will not accidentally be dismantled by one or more apparel hooks being jostled from the chain.

Referring now to FIGS. 8C, there is illustrated another example apparel hook 400 b according to this example embodiment of the present invention. Apparel hook 400 b resembles apparel hook 400 a. However, here, support member 402 has an extended length so that garment hangers, for example, placed in hole 406 are suspended at an increased distance from a garment rod, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is illustrated an example apparel hook 500 according to another example embodiment of the present invention. Apparel hook 500 comprises a hook member 504 attached to a support member 502. Notably, apparel hook 500 substantially resembles apparel hook 100 a, for example, in that hook member 504 and support member 502 resemble hook member 104 and support member 102, respectively, and operate in the same way. Nonetheless, with respect to hook member 504 and support member 502, apparel hook 500 may also resemble apparel hooks 100 b-d, 200 a-c, 300, or 400 a-b.

However, unlike the above described apparel hooks, apparel hook 500 further includes extension member 520, which extends from hook member 504, support member 502, or a combination thereof. Notably, co-pending and concurrently filed U.S. Patent Application No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 1759-180), filed Apr. 21, 2005, entitled “APPAREL HOOK WITH EXTENSION,” by Paul Giampavolo the same inventor of the present application, and the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference, discloses an apparel hook with an extension member that resembles extension member 520. According to this embodiment of the present invention, extension member 520 can be configured in any manner as described in the above mentioned co-pending application and operates as described in that application.

In general, the garment industry and retail stores, for example, will often use multiple levels of hanger rods to obtain additional space. Typically, the higher rods are not easily within reach. According to this example embodiment of the present invention, extension member 520 is intended to engage a catch of an extension pole, for example, along inner surface 520 a. As such, extension member 520 provides a simplified mechanism for raising and lowering apparel hook 500 to and from high garment rods. For example, one or more hooks of garment hangers can be placed into the strap-loop of apparel hook 500 in order to suspend the garment hangers there-from. The catch of an extension pole, for example, is then engaged against inner surface 520 a of extension member 520. In this configuration, the extension pole is then used to raise apparel hook 500 up and onto a high rod. Notably, to insert apparel hook 500 onto the rod, a user uses the extension pole to manipulate apparel hook 500 against the rod, for example, in order to sufficiently flex hook member 504 such that the rod passes through opening 116 and subsequently engages the inner hook surface 504 a of the hook member 504. Similarly, to later remove the apparel hook from the garment hanging rod, the catch of the extension pole is inserted against inner surface 520 a and the apparel hook is again manipulated against the rod, for example, to flex hook member 504 in order to enlarge hook opening 116.

Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims. 

1. A garment hanging holding device comprising: a support member configured to provide lateral support to at least one garment hanger; a flexible hook member to be carried directly on a rod, said hook member extending from said support member and comprising a free end; and a hook opening formed between a first surface of said hook member and a second surface along either said support member, said hook member, or both said support member and said hook member, wherein said hook opening varies in size such that as said hook member is flexed, said first surface resistively moves away from said second surface thereby enlarging said hook opening.
 2. The garment hanging holding device of claim 1, wherein as said hook member is unflexed, said first surface moves back towards said second surface thereby reducing said hook opening.
 3. The garment hanging holding device of claim 1, wherein said first surface is along said free end of said hook member.
 4. The garment hanging holding device of claim 1, wherein said hook member is shaped to overlap either said support member, said hook member, or both said support member and said hook member thereby creating an overlapping region, and wherein said first and second surfaces are along said overlapping region.
 5. The garment hanging holding device of claim 1, wherein said hook opening extends beyond a plane of said support member.
 6. The garment hanging holding device of claim 1, wherein when said hook member is not flexed, a distance between said first and second surfaces that forms said hook opening has a first dimension that prevents the rod from passing through said hook opening.
 7. The garment hanging holding device of claim 6, wherein said hook member is sufficiently flexible such that the distance between said first and second surfaces can be enlarged to a second dimension that allows the rod to pass through said hook opening.
 8. The garment hanging holding device of claim 1, wherein said support member comprises at least one body opening configured to receive a hook portion of said at least one garment hanger.
 9. The garment hanging holding device of claim 1, wherein said support member comprises at least one body opening, said garment hanging holding device further comprising either at least one strap, at least one rope, at least one chain, or at least one wire connected to said support member through said at least one body opening, and wherein said at least one strap, at least one rope, at least one chain, or at least one wire is configured to receive a hook portion of said at least one garment hanger.
 10. The garment hanger holding device of claim 1, further comprising either at least one strap, at least one rope, at least one chain, or at least one wire that is configured to receive a hook portion of said at least one garment hanger, wherein said at least one strap, at least one rope, at least one chain, or at least one wire is connected to said support member through either a co-molding process, a clamping process, an anchor, or a detachable mechanism.
 11. The garment hanging holding device of claim 1, further comprising an extension member separate from said support member and connected to either said hook member, said support member, or to said hook member and said support member, said extension member forming a third surface configured to be carried on an extension device.
 12. An apparel hook comprising: a support member configured to provide lateral support to at least one garment hanger; a hook member to be carried directly on a rail, said hook member extending from said support member and comprising a free end; and a hook opening formed between a first surface of said hook member and a second surface along either said support member, said hook member, or both said support member and said hook member, wherein upon exerting a force, said first and second surfaces resistively move away from each other thereby enlarging said hook opening and wherein upon removing the exerted force, said first and second surfaces move towards each other thereby decreasing said hook opening.
 13. The apparel hook of claim 12, wherein said first surface is along said free end of said hook member.
 14. The apparel hook of claim 12, wherein said hook member is shaped to overlap either said support member, said hook member, or both said support member and said hook member thereby creating an overlapping region, and wherein said first and second surfaces are along said overlapping region.
 15. The apparel hook of claim 12, wherein when the force is not exerted, a distance between said first and second surfaces that forms said hook opening has a first dimension that prevents the rod from passing through said hook opening, and wherein said first and second surfaces are sufficiently movable through the exerted force such that the distance between said first and second surfaces can be enlarged to a second dimension that allows the rod to pass through said hook opening.
 16. The apparel hook of claim 12, wherein said support member comprises at least one body opening configured to receive a hook portion of said at least one garment hanger.
 17. The apparel hook of claim 12, wherein said support member comprises at least one body opening, said apparel hook further comprising either at least one strap, at least one rope, at least one chain, or at least one wire connected to said support member through said at least one body opening, and wherein said at least one strap, at least one rope, at least one chain, or at least one wire is configured to receive a hook portion of said at least one garment hanger.
 18. The apparel hook of claim 12, further comprising either at least one strap, at least one rope, at least one chain, or at least one wire that is configured to receive a hook portion of said at least one garment hanger, wherein said at least one strap, at least one rope, at least one chain, or at least one wire is connected to said support member through either a co-molding process, a clamping process, an anchor, or a detachable mechanism.
 19. The apparel hook of claim 12, further comprising an extension member separate from said support member and connected to either said hook member, said support member, or to said hook member and said support member, said extension member forming a third surface configured to be carried on an extension device.
 20. A method for hanging a garment hanger from a rod, comprising the steps of: suspending the garment hanger from a garment hanging holding device that comprises a hook member and a hook opening formed between a first surface of said hook member and a second surface along said garment hanging holding device, said hook opening having a size smaller than a dimension of the rod thereby preventing the rod from passing through said opening; pressing said garment hanging holding device against the rod at said hook member; continuing to press said garment hanging holding device against the rod such that said hook member flexes, thereby causing said first surface to move away from said second surface and thereby enlarging said hook opening and allowing the rod to completely pass through said hook opening, said hook opening thereafter decreasing in size; and engaging said hook member against the rod such that said garment hanging holding device hangs from the rod.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of: pulling said garment hanging holding device against the rod at said hook member; and continuing to pull said garment hanging holding device against the rod such that said hook member flexes, thereby causing said first surface to move away from said second surface and thereby enlarging said hook opening and allowing the rod to completely pass through said hook opening.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein said garment hanging holding device further comprises a support member connected to said hook member, said support member having at least one body opening from which the garment hanger is suspended.
 23. The method of claim 20, wherein said garment hanging holding device further comprises: a support member connected to said hook member, said support member having at least one body opening; and either at least one strap, at least one rope, at least one chain, or at least one wire suspending the garment hanger, said at least one strap, at least one rope, at least one chain, or at least one wire being connected to said support member through said at least one body opening.
 24. The method of claim 20, wherein said garment hanging holding device further comprises: a support member connected to said hook member; and either at least one strap, at least one rope, at least one chain, or at least one wire suspending the garment hanger, said at least one strap, at least one rope, at least one chain, or at least one wire being connected to said support member through either a co-molding process, a clamping process, an anchor, or a detachable mechanism. 